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For Immediate
Release
8/26/08
Piccola, Marsico Introduce Legislation
Establishing Timeline for Future Budgets
HARRISBURG – Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-15) and Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105) have
introduced proposals to establish a more definitive timeline for all future
state budgets and are hopeful they will be fast-tracked through committee to
give lawmakers the ability to enact this much-needed legislation during the fall
session.
Under Piccola and Marsico's proposals, the House of Representatives would be
required to pass a General Appropriations bill by June 1, and the Senate would
be required to pass the same bill in some form by June 15. If necessary, no
later than June 20, a special Conference Committee consisting of six
representatives and six senators would be created in accordance with the rules
of the House and the Senate to deliberate on the General Appropriations bill. A
final General Appropriations bill would then be presented to the governor no
later than June 30. If any of the deadlines are not met (June 1, June 15, June
20, or June 30), the daily pay for each member of the offending chamber, or
chambers, would be docked until appropriate action is taken.
Piccola and Marsico continue to be concerned about the future furloughing of
state employees in the event of a budget impasse, which has not only created
nightmares for these workers but has also led to the shutdown of some state
services. "The recent Commonwealth Court decision indicated that the governor
is not required to furlough anyone in the event of a budget impasse. In fact,
the decision specifically says that it is the governor's decision whether to
furlough state employees," said Marsico.
"This decision combined with a history of late budgets under the Rendell
Administration prove the reality and need for our legislation – to ensure the
passage of a responsible state budget in a timely fashion for the people of
Pennsylvania. The months of May and June should be devoted exclusively to
budget spending and how to finance that spending. The budget and state
employees should never be held hostage to leverage other legislative proposals
by any governor," added Piccola.
Recently, a Quinnipiac poll indicated that many Pennsylvanians disapprove of
the way the governor and the Legislature handle the budget. "The results of the
recent poll make it pretty clear that the public is crying out for a change,"
said Piccola. "Our legislation will change the way we do business by holding
the House and the Senate responsible for sticking to a timeline every year. In
turn, this then engages the governor in the process earlier. There will be no
surprises."
"Pennsylvanians are counting on us to implement some type of system to avoid
putting their lives in jeopardy every year by forcing them to go without a
paycheck," added Marsico.
Senate Bills
1542 and
1543 and House Bills
2745 and
2746 have not yet been
assigned to committees in the Legislature.
Contact:
Colleen Greer (Piccola's Office)
787-6801
Autumn Southard (Marsico's Office)
787-2946
Additional Information:
Reforming
Government
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